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Founded by Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov in 1972, Oklahoma City Ballet has since been the city's premier professional ballet company. Over the years, it has grown to boast talented dancers from around the world with four main-stage productions a year. The company offers dance classes for youth and adults, as well as multiple community engagement programs to students across the state. Up until 2017, the flourishing company was struggling to support its programs by
trying to fit within an 8,000-square-foot building. To keep with its mission of bringing
high-quality classical and contemporary dance to Oklahoma City, the non-profit
organization knew they needed a new, larger home.

OBC was able to secure the award-winning and former 26,685 sq. Ft. American
Energy Partners Fitness Center in 2017. At this time, Sally Nicholas Starling, president-elect of the Oklahoma City Ballet Board of Trustees said in a statement to Oklahoma City News reporter Brandy McDonnell, "The ballet will have facilities that match the exceptional quality of performance and instruction happening in the company.

Design firm Allford Hall Monaghan Morris completed the previous AEP building in 2015. The structural design called for extending on top of an unused concrete basement and installing a series of arched steel trusses over the existing structure.

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris describes the architectural erection of the center as follows: "The trusses are clad with industrial-scaled profile metal sheeting to enclose a singular hanger-like volume with fully-glazed cables. Two boxes are then inserted; a single-story steel-clad volume punches through the front gable to provide an entry vestibule to the east, while a larger cube is placed within the central space."

The resulting building consisted of a basement floor with lockers, workout equipment, training studios, and an adjacent west-facing courtyard, as well as a top floor. The top floor housed two racquetball courts, an adaptable climbing wall, and a basketball court with the main entrance to the east.

Such creativity awarded the building recipient of the AIA Central Oklahoma Design Excellence Merit Award, the American Architecture Award 2016, the American Institute of Architects Central States Regional Design Excellence 2016, and even the Urban Land Institute award for Best Large Scale Infill Development Project 2016.

When Oklahoma City Ballet acquired the building, the structural floor plan remained intact, although all gym equipment was removed to make space for five new ballet studios. On the lower level, they had to remove two columns and reinforce the ceiling with steel as well as ensure proper lighting control was accessible on the top floor training spaces.

With the interior street sited, so the exterior wildflower landscape is almost always visible, E Screen fabric, with the help of the titled roof glass, provide occupants a feeling of being outdoors.

A half-cylinder-shape, the central space on the top floor of the facility features a striking half-crescent window ideal for bathing rehearsing dancers in natural light. To create a privacy barrier for the dancers and to filter glare, AHMM selected Hunter Douglas Architectural's RB 500 + automated shades featuring Mermet's E Screen 1% white fabric when undergoing renovations.

In this central studio space, OCB had to tear up the existing hardware floors and install a specialty sprung board floor. "This floor is important to the dancers because it helps preserve their joints overtime during practice," says Whitney Moore, Director of Development and Communications at OCB. "On top of the sprung floor is called a Marley. It is a black rubber mat, which, if exposed to too much sun, can bubble and cause the seamed strips to deteriorate and come apart. The window shades play an important roll in preserving the space and keeping equipment at its best, so the dancers can also give their best." In all, OCB spent more than two million in renovations.

At the arched, crescent window, ten high-performance shades line the bottom while another ten shades angle along the top of the frame. These smart, automated shades used Somfy's animeo sun sensor technology to lift and retract with the sun's movement. The effect? As the upper angled shades lower, the bottom half of the shades raise to meet in the middle, evoking a sun disappearing into the horizon. When the shades fully lift, the large-scale window's glass reflects Oklahoma's breathtaking sunsets, creating a naturally dramatic exterior.

By programming the shades with a bottom down, top-up automation solution, OCB can lower the bottom half to prevent direct glare, and the top half can be left down for maximized overhead daylighting. "E Screen 1% was an ideal choice for this application since it is one of the better performing fabrics for use with a retractable hembar," says Nick Inman, Manager - Specialty Products for Hunter Douglas Architectural. Once a basketball court, this central place is now the company's biggest and most inspiring dance studio.

"The shade system in our studio was an impressive, high-tech way to address a simple need for us. We could have gone many directions in finding a shade solution, but what we have now is clean, elegant, and fun to watch move… just like our dancers. When we do something at Oklahoma City Ballet, we try to do it artistically," says Robert Mills, Artistic Director at OCB. This innovative reinvention continues to be a bold venue, once for health and fitness, and now for the performing arts.

"When we have visiting international choreographers, dancers, and events with patrons, we make sure to take the opportunity to close the shades before their arrival. When here, we like to open the shades for a dramatic, beautiful reveal of the space. Our guests are blown away by the space," says Moore.

And it's not only the dancers who benefit from the use of automated shading. The building's energy use does as well. By using sun protection devices with active sun-tracking sensors, Oklahoma City Ballet can benefit from year-round energy savings. In the winter months, as soon as night falls, pre-programmed functions can close all shades to increase window insulation and avoid excessive heating consumption.

By using a tight openness fabric such as E Screen 1%, efficient use of solar energy through insulation and reflection is accomplished. A white color E Screen 1% fabric provides up to a 73% reflection of near-infrared energy – the part of the spectrum which carries heat. During the day, OCB can also adjust solar shade height to limit the distance sunlight enters the space. This feature ultimately protects the interior, as well as maximizing daylight availability and minimizing direct glare while dancers practice.

When preparing for the fabrication of the shade material, attention to detail with the geometry of the angled windows was critical. "If the shape of the system does not match the shape of the opening, then it would result in odd light gaps and look incorrect. The installer, Russell Interiors, used a laser to measure the high and low side of each trapezoid to ensure the accuracy of the final installation. We then modeled the hardware and fabric dimensions in cad. Our computerized cutting table cut the trapezoidal shapes we inputted. The rest, well, that is a secret," says Inman.

Such technical precision resulted in a successful installation, efficient use of the space, and a bigger and more comfortable facility for dancers to rehearse, so OCB can focus on what is most important.

In a separate interview with Oklahoma City News, Robert Mills, Artistic Director at OCB, said, "What we're going to be capable of with this change is enormous, because, yes, it's about touching more lives and having more classes. But that's more income for the organization, too, which will enable us to make more changes to the organization that will better serve, again, the community. To me, this space is about how better we can serve our community. I think a community with more than a million people in central Oklahoma…there is a lot more we can bring," Mills said.

"Mermet is honored to be a part of such a fantastic project that focuses on enriching the local community of Oklahoma with arts and culture, says Holly Bridwell Marketing Manager at Mermet. "We hope our Sun Control Textiles continue to contribute to bringing many encouraging, rich, and enjoyable moments to the many artists and students that grace this rehearsal studio for years to come."

"For more information on Mermet, Sun Control Textiles visit: mermetusa.com

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With design qualities such as skylights, photosensors, storm-water management, and air-filtering systems, the building has been dubbed a pioneer in sustainable architecture and even has even been given credit for helping to set the standards for the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Certification program. The configuration of the dual office and factory space was envisioned based on implementing green strategies such as daylighting for energy efficiency and enhanced productivity, among others. With its large number of 66 skylights and a daylight interior "street" that serves as the spine for the building, reliant operable shading was a necessity in the original architectural specifications.

Unfortunately, the original shading system installed eventually failed, not working for several years due to safety concerns. The shades had been disconnected and secured over worries that the 12' wide x 18' high units might fall. Also, the heat build-up from the sun-drenched street became too uncomfortable for employees passing through. With the help of Mermet high-performance fabrics, Draper Inc. shading systems and Triangle Window Fashions' installation, a new solar control solution was successfully implemented.

"Their current shading system was not operating, and they needed a new option for sun control because the skylights are southern facing," said Savanna Weih, district sales manager for Triangle Window Fashions. "We needed to supply a fully-functional and safe solution that would enable them to operate the large shades and take advantage of the natural daylighting element that was designed into the building by the architect."

Triangle approached Draper's solar control solutions (SCS) department with the problem. Due to the significant slope of the skylights, the SCS engineering team designed a custom wheeled hem bar with side tracks to guide the hem bars along the curtainwall slope. Intermediate rollers were added to support the fabric and minimize sag across the large units.

Because of safety concerns created by the original installation, Draper designed custom brackets that capture the rollers in the event of an unforeseen mechanical failure. "That was more to give Herman Miller peace of mind—and alleviate the concerns they had," said Scott Cash, a solar control solutions sales consultant. "We were fully confident in our engineering team's ability to design a safe solution."

As part of the solution, shade fabric style and performance also needed to be evaluated. With the configuration of the building being relatively narrow and only one or two stories high, selecting a fabric which emphasized daylighting benefits without obstructing natural light was key. Controlling heat from the street's large glass walls running almost the entire length of the factory was also a priority. Due to this, E Screen 5% in the color white/linen was the recommend choice for Herman Miller.

"With a balanced basketweave fabric, 5% openness factor, and light material color, employees can gain maximum use of daylighting while also enjoying the best view-through," said Ali Fisher, product manager at Mermet. "The lighter the fabric color, the more natural light reflects into the space, versus being absorbed by the fabric."

With the interior street sited, so the exterior wildflower landscape is almost always visible, E Screen fabric, with the help of the titled roof glass, provide occupants a feeling of being outdoors.

Architectural design firm William McDonough + Partners envisioned a space where office work and manufacturing were not divided vertically by floors, but instead connected horizontally by a brightly illuminated, public street. While E Screen 5% contributes towards efficient use of daylight, it also controls solar heat gain, reflecting up to 62% of all infrared energy. This performance feature was also necessary to have in the interior street. In addition, the section was designed to diffuse social hierarchies associated with different kinds of work while providing equal access to light and simultaneously lowering energy costs. “E Screen helps to preserve these goals, making it a smart choice for the retrofit project,” said Fisher.

After all solutions were thought through, it came time to alleviate any concerns Herman Miller may have had regarding product recommendations and installation. The Draper design team accompanied Triangle Window Fashions to meet with Herman Miller and present the custom design.

"They were very pleased with our design and relieved to learn they would be able to use their shading system finally," Cash said. "They agreed to move forward with the installation."

Draper next assembled a full-scale mock-up to ensure all bases were covered. And if Herman Miller's reaction is any indication, they were. "Everyone was very impressed with the application and design, said Weih.

Herman Miller is more than a furniture company, but a leader known for architectural experimentation both through the products they create and the visions they construct for their corporate culture. By choosing to work with Mermet, Draper and Triangle Window Fashions on a smart shading solution, they can be assured their legacy of corporate values will continue to be preserved.

"Natural daylighting is important. This is why high-performance shades and glazing play an integral part in the general wellbeing and productivity of the students," -Lynne Wilson, Interior Designer

Architects and designers are increasingly finding that a carefully crafted glass + solar shade solution for a school façade can increase daylighting, help reduce artificial light and energy costs, and increase occupant control over glare and exterior views.

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From the exterior, the dual-toned red and beige brick of Drayton Mills Elementary School in Spartanburg, South Carolina, feels fresh and inviting. On the interior, a limitless world of creativity and education awaits. From color-coded and grade-specific collaboration areas, to a high-tech media room and responsive classrooms, this 125,000 square-foot elementary school utilizes cutting-edge technology to produce an innovative learning space. With construction completed summer of 2018, the school was awarded the prestigious Green Globes architectural sustainability certification.

Green Globes distinguishes projects which advance sustainable design, conserve energy, reduce water consumption and promote responsible use of materials. Southeast-based architecture, planning, and interior design firm McMillan Pazdan Smith is responsible for the keen design of the project. Project Manager Donnie Love, A.I.A., along with Justin Offut, A.I.A., and interior designer Lynne Wilson worked together closely on the project. “One of the main design qualifications for Green Globes is that each classroom has a window,” Offutt notes. Designer Lynne Wilson adds, “Natural daylighting is important. This is why high-performance shades and glazing play an integral part in the general wellbeing and productivity of the students, as well as in the project receiving the Green Globes credential.”

Multiple studies have illustrated that student performance improves with access to natural light and views. Architects and designers are responding to these findings by creating learning environments that capitalize on daylight via open spaces and innovative design elements that pull natural light deeper into interiors and allow views to the outdoors. Furthermore, school leadership desired to source building materials as locally as possible, due to economic and environmental concerns. In response to these items, McMillian focused on developing a fenestration package complete with South-Carolina based fabric and glass manufacturers, Mermet USA and Guardian Glass. Guardian’s SunGuard® SNX 51/23 coated glass and Mermet’s E Screen™ in 3% openness and Avila Twilight™ 100% blackout fabrics in the color charcoal were specified. Dark color fabrics were chosen so they would seamlessly blend with the inherent color of the glass and minimize the appearance of the shades from the exterior.

Triple-silver, high performance, low-emissivity coated glass products such as Guardian SunGuard® SNX 51/23 coated glass offer a very high light-to-solar gain ratio, which translates to students, teachers and staff enjoying the benefits of light without disruptive glare or uncomfortable solar heat. By integrating light diffusing shade fabrics such as Mermet’s 3% openness E Screen, shading gives teachers and students control over their environment. They are able to bring in as much daylight as possible, or they may lower the shades for increased performance and glare control. Window shades build on the performance of glass, allowing buildings to exceed performance goals, while delivering on precise interior and exterior design intent.

At first, façade aesthetics was a secondary concern to the project, until the school superintendent voiced a request to maintain uniformity of the building’s many exterior street-side windows. The goal was to avoid a distracting appearance, often caused by manually operated and light colored, street-facing fabrics. Achieving aesthetic uniformity while meeting differing solar control needs was a tall order. However, it was accomplished when McMillan Pazdan Smith interior designer Lynne Wilson used several different shade fabrics in order to address differing solar control needs in various parts of the building.

Drayton Mills Elementary faces south, where high amounts of solar energy enter the building. To combat this, E Screen fabric was installed on all windows. However, in specialty areas, like the school’s library, or rooms facing the distracting, high-traffic central courtyard, the ability for complete light blockage was needed. McMillan Pazdan Smith architects met this challenge by incorporating dual-shading systems that also maintained exterior aesthetic uniformity and matched the interior’s modern color palette and design. “One of the most interesting parts of the project was finding a way to incorporate multiple visions and needs at once,” project architect Justin Offutt observed. “There are lots of stakeholders.”

The need for strong solar control solutions is even more apparent when analyzing school spending. School districts spend $6 billion each year on energy – second only to salaries. Of that, 19 percent goes toward lighting. Only water heating and space heating cost more. More and more, architects and designers are understanding that carefully considering the right glass for a school façade can increase daylighting and help reduce artificial light and electricity costs without increasing heating and cooling costs. Making a significant cut in these costs can amount to substantial savings that can be applied to other school expenses.

Achieving Green Globes Certification is no easy task. Amidst normal design specifications and considerations, project managers were challenged to also select sustainable, energy-efficient materials. “One of the top priorities was to create a facility that fulfills its duties as educator, community ambassador and protector of children’s welfare simultaneously,” states McMillan Pazdan Smith. In order to achieve these goals, Green Globes Certification became a steady objective of the project. The Green Globes slogan reads, “Do good by always doing better.” In order to receive Green Globes Certification, the project’s architectural team had to consider four areas when designing and choosing materials: sustainable management, social/economic impact, cultural heritage, and environmental impact. Each category further specifies detailed requirements - many of which would not have been possible to meet without the right solar control solution.

Utilizing Mermet and Guardian Glass fenestration materials, Drayton Mills Elementary was able to pass the Green Globes environmental and social impact ranks. Occupant productivity and wellbeing contribute to the social impact of a structure. Drayton Elementary solves for this by combining dark color Mermet E Screen and Avila Twilight shade fabrics with automated and manual solar control systems. This allows maximum occupant control over the environment’s lighting: making it easy to minimize glare, control heat, set lighting levels to enhance productivity, and more. As this combination solution solves for occupant comfort, it also solves for environmental sustainability by regulating internal temperatures even at the hottest points of the day: decreasing energy usage and increasing efficiency.

Nearly 800 students will explore, learn, and create in this advanced space every year. Designed to foster collaboration, Drayton Elementary School features design excellence at every level. Natural daylight empowers each classroom without overwhelming occupant’s comfort levels. This led the McMillian architects to choose Mermet USA fabrics for the elementary school in order to solve for the needs of occupant comfort, aesthetic uniformity, efficient performance, and sustainable design. “There’s so much about this school that’s exciting. From the abundance of natural light at every turn, to the innovative and flexible learning spaces you’ll see throughout the building, this is an optimal environment for teaching and learning,” observed Superintendent Dr. Russell Booker. The partnership of Mermet, Guardian Glass, and McMillan Pazdan Smith made possible the sustainability, durability, and creativity of this project: opening the door for thousands of young minds to pursue knowledge comfortably and responsibly for years to come.

Mermet USA Brews Up Sun Control Solutions for Sierra Nevada Mills River Brewery

To increase brewing capacity, Sierra Nevada decided to open an East Coast facility—their second brewery—in North Carolina. Longtime collaborator, R.G.A. in Chico, CA, was selected to serve as the principal design firm for the 320,000-square-foot project.

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“Having worked with Sierra Nevada on their Chico brewery gave us a working knowledge of project needs as well as the company’s goals,” said Matt Gallaway, A.I.A., LEED, principal architect for R.G.A. “Starting the Mills River project from scratch allowed us to really work on juxtaposing form with function. We wanted to create a very linear building as brewing is a linear process.”

The project began with the warehouse and bottling facility, which were completed in 2013. The taproom and restaurant were added two years later. Ensuring a consistent look throughout each space was key. To help keep a consistent look on the interior, the shade fabric was installed in the main dining area, exterior patio, bakery, gift shop and main offices. Additionally, R.G.A., the design team at Sierra Nevada, and Glen Walters Landscape Architecture, worked to create an entrance that would showcase the customer experience separately from the productdevelopment portion of the property. Comfort, daylighting, and solar heat gain control were integral to the design, and shades would play a role in meeting all of these needs.

“We realized the brewery was getting too much sun, so the incorporation of the shades was necessary,” said Gallaway. “Several solar studies had been conducted, and there were some unanticipated lighting challenges that the shades helped mitigate.”

Built with sustainability and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) in mind, Sierra Nevada worked to ensure the specified glass achieved energy efficiency needs while the shades provided additional performance—or the “icing on the cake” according to Gallaway. The brewery was able to reduce the building’s Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) from .227 to .221 by adding M Screen Deco™ shade fabric. That is a 20.2% SHGC improvement – a noticeable impact that glazing alone could not have achieved. Sierra Nevada Mills River Brewery was awarded LEED® Platinum in 2016, making it the first production brewery in the country to earn the certification.

Manufactured with high-quality yarn comprised of fiberglass and vinyl, M Screen Deco™ is a designer fabric featuring a unique rib weave and bi-colored yarn that adds rustic elegance to the space through its texturized appearance. The shades, which were specified at 5% openness, block approximately 95% of UV rays and transmit only 7% of total solar energy.

With a visual transmission of only 7%, M Screen Deco™ 5% in Hazelnut substantially reduces glare in multiple spaces throughout the brewery while retaining crisp, clear view through. Reduced glare on screens not only affects office workers, but also provides better viewing experiences for patrons watching any of the TVs on the property. Comfort is an essential part of the brewery experience, and the usage of M Screen Deco™ prevents guests from having unwanted sunlight while they enjoy a cold beverage or delicious meal.

“The use of Mermet’s M Screen Deco™ fabric in Hazelnut was an excellent selection,” said Dominic Sarno, owner at D.F. Sarno Enterprises Inc., the project’s fabricator/installer. “Aesthetically, the fabric blends with all the wood stain finishes on the inside and complements the exterior finishes. M Screen Deco™ also allows view through when shades are down, and controls direct sunlight.”

“For Gallaway, the project extends beyond the completion date. “The brewery is often referred to as the ‘destination for beers,’ and we truly enjoy having been a part of creating something that brings people joy. We have said before that the best projects are the ones where you make lasting friendships. This is one of those— great teams that built strong friendships.”

“Watching this project grow over the years as the brewery expanded and more people were drawn to it was a wonderful experience,” continued Sarno, “Working with Sierra Nevada, the architects, and Mermet to create a beautiful, quality-driven facility really underscored it all.”

This beautiful facade features unique angles and breaks in the glass. The problem was finding any solar shading that would work.

The University of Chicago Lab School had a problem. The school was building a brand new arts facility, the Gordon Parks Arts Hall, funded in part by a donation from the George Lucas Family Foundation. It was a high-profile project, making use of daylighting.

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“They had a beautiful façade design with unique angles and breaks in the glass,” explained Clint Childress, LEED® AP, solar control solutions product manager at Draper, Inc. “With this design, they had a problem with finding any solar shading that would work.”

Bryan B. Biggers III, president of Beverly Venetian Blind Company, agreed it was a complex project.

“We weren’t the only people asked to bid on this project but we seemed to be the only ones that were willing to take on the complexity of this project with its unique angled windows,” Biggers said. “It’s something we had never done before, but I felt that it would be a great opportunity to do something very special even though we really didn’t know how we were going to accomplish it.”

Biggers and his team talked to the designers in charge of the project to share some ideas on how to develop a solution.

“This is where my thoughts went straight to Draper,” he said. “I knew that if anyone could help pull this off, it would be Draper.”

Biggers’ request came to Draper’s Solar Control Solutions (SCS) division, which designs and manufactures custom solutions for customers around the globe.

“SCS is about bringing solutions to solar shading problems,” Childress said. “There may be too much heat gain, a unique glazing design, an operation that is not standard, or anything that makes standard products not an ideal option.”

Draper’s designers discussed the project with Biggers and, after several conversations, proposed a solution. After some back-and-forth exchange of ideas and on-site meetings, a final design was agreed upon: a custom motorized shade system on tracks, with re-directional rollers to help the shades follow the changes in slope. The shades would be operated via wall switch, and feature Mermet E Screen™ Charcoal/Gray with a 3% openness factor. “The fabric choice was made for performance, as well as aesthetics. The school’s firsts selected a lighter color fabric. After consultation with our client, we changed the color to achieve both concerns,” Bryan Biggers said.

“The design process with Draper was very interesting,” Biggers said. “As you can imagine they had quite a challenge on their hands. Draper hadn’t done this type of project before, and neither had we.”

The custom solution was actually based on Draper’s Motorized FlexShade® and Skylight 2. One of the biggest challenges for the Draper design and production teams was the different brackets required.

“With the changing break-line in the curtain wall glass per shade, each shade was slightly different. Different length tracks (both left and right side for each shade), different length brackets, and different numbers of brackets,” Draper’s director of engineering Harold Seib said. “Another issue was bending the side channels/tracks. We used 3D engineering rapid prototyping machines, and developed a process using printed plastic inserts that allowed us to use a gym equipment tubing bender to bend u-channel.”

The project continued to be challenging as installation got underway. Biggers’ crew had to make some on-site adjustments and fabrication changes because as they moved across the glazing it soon became apparent that there were changes with the angles.

“At some points, it was a hot mess but we knew that it was going to come together in the end and be pretty spectacular,” Biggers said. “Draper did a great job as I knew they would and I know that it was a learning experience for them as well as for us.”

Biggers has returned since the initial installation to make a few adjustments and said the Lab School is extremely happy with the unique shading solution.

When Blinds In Style was asked to consult on the best window coverings for a new home in Ramsgate Beach, its interior design manager and business partner Kirk Fitis recalled a fabric he first saw at the BMAA Super Expo last year. The homeowner sought two main features for a downstairs living area that looked onto a lap pool and an expansive garden setting.

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They wanted great visibility and a reduction in heat transfer through the window. “KOOLBLACK® ticked both those boxes,” Fitis says. While E Screen™ with KOOLBLACK® Technology was not yet available in Australia, the home owner was willing to wait for its arrival as the building was still under construction.

To produce the window coverings, Fitis worked with the homeowner at each planning stage for the architect-designed home, which was being built from scratch. “I worked with him every step of the way,” he says. “For example, we decided the blind should sit in a cavity rather than be mounted on the wall or ceiling.” As a result, the size of the cavity needed to be addressed to ensure there was enough room for the blind to rotate and sufficient space to accommodate the fabric when it was completely rolled up. Fitis recommended motorization and plans were made to incorporate the electrical work required during construction. “If you’re building a lovely home, the last thing you want are chains hanging around,” he says. “And with big blinds, chains can be difficult to operate.” When the glass was installed in July 2013, the first measure for this job was taken. Production, from factory to completion, took three weeks after the final measure with installation completed in December last year. “In this instance, the blinds were made before the owners were ready for them to be installed,” he says. It’s a strategy he likes to put into effect to ensure customers are not waiting for their blinds to be made when they’ve already moved into a home. “No one wants to wait for their blinds and live in a house that’s like a fishbowl,” he says.

Blinds In Style produced 12 roller blinds in four metre drops to accommodate the high ceilings. The windows to be covered spanned 26 metres in an L shape, one section looking onto the lap pool and the other, onto the garden setting.

An iconic commercial building called for a number of key requirements. Mermet's E Screen™ with KOOLBLACK® Technology Provided the Solution.

The new 26-level office building located at 567 Collins Street, Melbourne is seen as a cutting edge icon of the city, offering state-of-the-art commercial office space as well as retail and recreational spaces. As Helioscreen business development manager (VIC & TAS) Elizabeth Damcevski confirms, the window coverings project at ‘number 567’ entailed a very specific brief, involving 13 levels of the building being fitted with dark colored blinds.

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“Both sides of the fabric had to be a dark color, with a high visibility and high co efficiency factors. Mermet’s E Screen™ with KOOLBLACK® ticked all those boxes.” Damcevski says the project used Helioscreen internal roller blinds, entailing a combination of chain operated and motorized blinds, for which the fabric used was E Screen™ with KOOLBLACK® Technology 5% openness, color 3535 Charcoal/Charcoal.“

Helioscreen originally came across the KOOLBLACK® technology at the BMAA Superexpo in 2013 where it caused quite a stir,” Damcevski says. “When the project at 567 Collins Street came up, we got in touch with Mermet, who provided us with samples. It quickly became apparent that the fabric met the architects’ key requirements. They wanted a dark color fabric, for aesthetic and glare reduction reasons, which also allowed occupants to see out of the building. An added benefit is that, because the fabric is so efficient , it keeps the building cool and therefore reduces energy costs.” “Mermet provided technical stats for the project and compared the fabric characteristics against competitors’ fabrics, in which KOOLBLACK® had higher efficiency factors,” Damcevski confirms. “Mermet’s specification data and sample cuttings enabled me to specify the project, with Helioscreen producing the prototype blinds. Specification was completed in June of 2013.”

A key challenge in the project was the high number of performance requirements required, Damcevski adds. These included a dark fabric requirement, a max of 5% openness factor, less than 6% Visible Light Transmittance (Tv), 30% Solar Reflectance (Rs). “We had to be able to meet as many of these as possible,” she says, adding that key to the project’s success was the resolution of the opposing needs of a sustainable building that also required dark fabrics.” “Regular dark shade materials consume energy and raise the solar heat gain in space, thus resulting in a waste of energy and creating an unpleasant environment. As such, this restricts the use of dark screen fabrics in sustainable building design where heat reflection specifications are presented in a shading solution.”

“The new KOOLBLACK® technology resolves this issue by making use of new heat reflecting characteristics. KOOLBLACK® technology adds to the energy efficiency of solar-shade materials to equivalent levels with light colours, which lowers about 23% of solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC), which means improved heat control and increased energy savings.” Mermet comments: “While E-Screen™ with KOOLBLACK® Technology was not even available in Australia at the time of the specification in 2013, its benefits were so apparent when it launched at the Superexpo that Helioscreen was quickly committed to utilizing it.”

When Christian Brothers Automotive Company (CBAC) built its new corporate headquarters, they wanted to ensure employee productivity and comfort. Located in Houston, the concrete headquarters building needed features to help combat the harsh Texas summers. “The heat was obviously brutal, but so was the glare, especially on the east, west and south sides of the building,” said Steve Palmer.

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In consultation with the CEO of CBAC, Mark Carr, Steve Palmer and his team at Creative Blinds specified Hunter Douglas’ motorized RB 500 roller shades and Mermet’s specially heat-reflective fabric, T Screen™ with KOOLBLACK® Technology, to help block the intense sun pouring in from all sides of the CBAC headquarters.

The design called for motorized shades on the top floor, ensuring ease of use and creating a sharp appearance from both the interior and exterior of the building. “The shades look good, and the employees really like them,” said Carr. “I would estimate it’s probably about 10 or 15 degrees cooler with the T Screen™ with KOOLBLACK® Technology fabric, which allows our team to feel more comfortable and be productive.”

CBAC has also noticed significant monetary savings, which they attribute partially to the shades: “We budgeted a substantial amount monthly for electricity costs,” said Carr. “With the help of the shading fabrics, our average monthly bills are less than half of what we initially expected for heating and air conditioning costs. We are anticipating break even costs for the shading system in about two and a half years.”

According to Robert Beals, Product Manager at Mermet Sun Control Textiles, other customers have experienced similar effects after installing T Screen™ with KOOLBLACK® Technology shade fabrics. In fact, the fabrics have been proven to reflect 65% of all solar energy, reducing heat gain, as well as blocking 91% of visible light to control glare, enhance visual comfort and increase workspace productivity.

Mermet helps optimize sun control at new Austin Habitat for Humanity headquarters

Habitat for Humanity, one of the most philanthropic companies in the building and construction industry, has helped thousands of people settle into safe and comfortable homes since it was founded in 1976. As the need for the non-profit’s services have continued to grow, so too has its need for a new Austin, Texas headquarters that could house both its corporate offices and Habitat’s local ReStore retail facility.

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While initial, conceptual plans did not include window treatments, glare and heat from the Texas sun quickly made Mermet solar shade fabrics with KOOLBLACK® technology a necessity for the new building. Once the site was identified, Habitat enlisted the help of other philanthropic partners to outfit the building with the advanced shading fabrics and other building products, ensuring its corporate team could focus on what really mattered: giving back.

Habitat requested installer Texas Sun & Shade (TSS) provide sun control fabrics to create a comfortable office environment for its employees. TSS owner Ben Skoldeberg tapped Ken Fletcher, VP of Operations for local distributor VASA Window Coverings, to help recommend the best solution to mitigate intense sunlight, especially on the building’s eastern and southern exposures. The two agreed that specifying Mermet shading fabrics – the top selling line for both companies – was a “no-brainer.” TSS first used charcoal-colored E-Screen™ fabric with KOOLBLACK® technology for the motorized shades installed onsite.

Mermet also suggested its T-Screen™ fabric with KOOLBLACK® technology be installed to optimize thermal efficiency and UV protection throughout the office space. The attractive look of T-Screen™ with KOOLBLACK® in a white, charcoal and cocoa color palette matched Habitat’s design vision and maintained great visibility with three percent openness.

“Habitat trusted us to determine how to use shade fabrics to optimize energy efficiency, glare control and overall occupant comfort in the office space,” said Skoldeberg. “Mermet’s E-Screen™ and T-Screen™ products fit well aesthetically, and were already proven to be effective with heat reduction, which was critical for this project.”

VASA worked with Mermet to provide the fabrics for Habitat for Humanity. The distributor gives to a nonprofit monthly, and was particularly excited for the opportunity to contribute to a project in the local Austin community. For its part, TSS donated nearly 20 hours of installation time, in addition to a full warranty, and anticipates a further contribution in 2016.

“Habitat for Humanity is a wonderful organization that helps a lot of people, but can also be overlooked on occasion,” said Fletcher. “Mermet helped us make sure Habitat received the attention it deserved, not only by effectively communicating shipment statuses and deadlines, but also through its understanding of the value and importance of serving our local community.”

Conveniently located just a few miles from downtown Austin, the new site has already become an asset to the community and others who depend on Habitat for Humanity. The building offers the general public easy access to the ReStore retail facility, and with its beautiful design and high performance products, is set to be a local landmark for years to come.

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One of the biggest areas of focus: the complex interplay between daylighting and interior lighting. Little takes lighting seriously—all the way down to specifying the correct color temperature for replacement lightbulbs. So it comes as no surprise that the firm stipulated replacement of the old-school dark-tinted glazing in their new offices in Newport Beach, California prior to move-in.

The current façade featured four openings, as well as two doorways, with glazing from the mid-80s that utilized interior-applied dark film to block heat and glare from the sun. While this glazing solution performed as expected, it did little to elevate the interior or exterior aesthetics of the building – a compromise that wasn’t acceptable to the Little Architectural team.

Seeking a cost effective way to optimize daylighting and modernize design, Little stipulated that the glazing on the key front entrances on the east and south sides of the building be replaced with clear glazing prior to move-in. For the sake of aesthetic consistency, the street-facing north and west sides of the building couldn’t be changed.

The building management complied with the request, swapping out the existing glass on the east and south façade while retaining the current framing, allowing the current film to handle the harsh heat from the western façade and retain a modicum of exterior aesthetic consistency.

However, the introduction of clear glazing on the east and south facades created new challenges – increased glare and solar heat gain on the interior, reduced privacy from the exterior, and visual inconsistency with the rest of the building fenestration.

In order to solve all of these challenges, Little turned to solar shading from Mermet.

Having utilized Mermet solar shading in numerous projects, the team knew that black on black E-Screen™ with KOOLBLACK® Technology would be the perfect solution to mitigate all of the newly-introduced issues in one fell swoop.

Following installation of Mermet’s E-Screen™ with KOOLBLACK® Technology, the Little offices were transformed from a space in an outdated office park to a customized location that is a showpiece for the team.

With Mermet, Little realized across-the-board benefits, including:

Glare Reduction – By reducing the amount of visible light transmitted to the interior, direct and reflected glare from glazing or computer screens is dramatically reduced, leading to a more comfortable and productive work environment.

Solar Heat Gain – While dark shades generally absorb more solar energy and trap heat in a building interior, KOOLBLACK® Technology integrates reflective properties of light-colored fabrics into dark-colored fabrics, delivering the aesthetic benefits of dark shades while minimizing solar heat gain to the interior. Little benefits from reduced cooling loads and a more comfortable work environment.

Viewthrough – Little knows the power of establishing connection to the outdoors – a key element of “Well”design that Little advocates – and selected black fabric for its excellent view-through characteristics.

Interior Aesthetics – All of the elements above combine to maximize the interior aesthetics. With optimized viewthrough and solar control, combined with the modern look of black shades, the Little team benefits from an aesthetically beautiful installation that also ensures comfort and productivity.

Exterior Aesthetics – The appearance of black shades from the exterior delivers consistency with the glazing of the rest of the building, without the visual inconsistency of traditional blinds or the “snaggletooth” look that white shades can impart. Plus, with manual control, Little can raise and lower the shades in order to deliver the level of light desired at any point in time.

The new offices are now a major draw for prospective clients and a showcase space for Littles unique brand – and for the unique technology that goes into Mermet’s line of KOOLBLACK® Technology shades.